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Stafford and Stone Canoe Club awarded £ 10k grant
Earlier this year , Stafford and Stone Canoe Club were successful in applying for an award of £ 10,000 from The Arts and Sports Trust to aid their junior coaching project and club equipment supplies . Based along the waters of the River Trent , the club provides canoe slalom coaching support to junior and adult paddlers alike .
In 2020 however , the organisation changed its approach to awarding grants to organisations themselves in a move that sought to enable organisations to fund projects accessible to all juniors as opposed to individuals .
Kurts Adams-Rozentals , who has represented Great Britain , was the recipient of the award grant in 2018 , and said : www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
Each year the club runs canoe slalom taster days for junior paddlers with the aim of introducing them to the slalom discipline in a fun and relaxed environment . Paddlers who join following the taster session , are then guided through their learning and development in the sport and encouraged to progress as high as they aspire to go .
Stafford and Stone have grown in size and stature over the years and have established themselves as one of the most successful canoe slalom clubs in the UK . Many notable athletes including Olympic gold medallist Joe Clarke MBE ( medallist Rio 2016 ), Lizzie Neave ( Semi- Finalist London 2012 ), and Adam Burgess who will be representing Team GB at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games , have benefitted from the club ’ s coaching .
Chairman for the club , Rob Holdway , said : “ Being able to support and encourage new junior members through a group of enthusiastic , qualified coaches , using equipment and a facility that remains fit for purpose , is critical to our success . Ensuring both aspects is a constant challenge . This grant is very welcome and will help us ensure that we can continue to nurture the champions of the future and keep Stafford and Stone on the map as one of the top canoe clubs in the country .”
The Arts and Sports Trust is a family run charity who support children under the age of 18 to achieve their dreams in their chosen field of Arts or Sport . For many years their support of junior paddlers at the club was by way of grants awarded to individual athletes .
“ I like to believe that no matter where you come from and no matter your circumstances , anyone can achieve anything . Unfortunately , many times financial circumstances are the thing that hold people back .
“ The Arts and Sports Trust has given me crucial support when it was needed most . They have helped me to fund a slalom racing boat and the endless racing costs that my mum simply couldn ’ t afford to cover . I cannot thank The Arts and Sports Trust enough for allowing me to perform at my best .”
Despite the impact of Coronavirus on club activity , Stafford and Stone still hope to begin the recruitment of junior slalom paddlers for the 2021 season . Whilst a date is yet to be confirmed for their annual taster day , it is hoped this will take place in the summer .
you or someone you know may be interested in taking part you can register your interest at :
staffordandstonecc . co . uk / get-involved / 2020- junior-taster-days /